Return to the signal tower

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 13

Return to the signal tower

(By

When telephoning the Lyttelton signal tower this week, the writer was pleased to hear the warm, salty voice of a man who retired from the Lyttelton Harbour Board’s service almost two years ago.

It was that of Mr D. S. Chapman, of Christchurch, a former naval man, who is well known at Lyttelton. He returned to Lyttelton recently to relieve another signalman who has gone on leave. Mr Chapman will this evening complete his return to the tower. He has enjoyed it, too.

Mr Chapman has a down-to-earth humour reminiscent of Bob Semple, with a touch of Mark Twain, and even the late Captain H. S. Collier (“Two Gun Pete”). Born at Kalapoi, Mr Chapman first trained as a seaman boy aboard H.M.S. Philomel. He subsequently served aboard H.M.N.Z.S. Diomede. Dunedin, Achilles, Venus, and for a period in the armed merchant cruiser Monowal. The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s signalmen by and large have excellent liaison with the public. They are the board’s “frontline troops” in public relations, where the general public ape concerned. The signalmen have to be patient, tactful, and tolerant. but may answer only basic questions. The writer knows well their problems, and sympathises. The public might well heed that the signalmen come directly under the control of the Harbourmaster (Captain D. Holden), or his deputy, and that all major Queries must be addressed to the top. Like harbour pilots, who are the first to meet incoming strangers, the signalmen play a key role In building good will for the board, which is the largest maritime organisation at Lyttelton, and righth- sensitive about its good image. Some time ago. when the writer mentioned in this column the courtesy of a particular signalman, a local man next morninc described it as “a lot of —.” All he lost was a customer. Surely, occasional praise, courtesy, or oil in the works does no harm. Tn the hard, often tense atmosphere of industrial maritime existence, life would be grim were it not for a little tolerance or humour. Mr Chapman makes retirement sound attractive: but a seaman must return to the sea now and then. Mr Chapman and his good humour will leave a nleasant memory' for former shipping affiliates at Lyttelton, a place where the narks could be counted on •he fingers, of one band. Most local people are pleasant. It makes life so much easier.

ARRIVALS Sachem (6.24 a.m.). 18,245, Capt. Ling Yung, Wellington (U.S.S.). (Tanker). Rangatira (6.37 a.m.), 9387. Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.). Hawea (6.56 a.m.), 2926, Capt. J. R. Stoddart, Dunedin. (U.S.S.). Japan Totara (2.54 p.m.), 7009, Wellington. (Japan Line (N.Z.). Ltd). DEPARTURES Hawea (8.20 p.m.), 2926, Capt. J. R. Stoddart, Wellington. (U.S.S.). Rangatira (8.4 p.m.). 9387. Capt. J. D. Cleaver. Wellington. (U.S.S.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Amairic, Wellington, today. Bowoon, Australia, October 4. (Tanker.) Union Wellington, Auckland. October 4. Rosario Maru. Wellington, October 4. Holmdale, Wellington, October 4.: Rangatira. Wellington, October 4.! Inverbank, Bluff, October 4, Shansi, Wellington. October 5. Inverbank, Bluff, October 5. Rangatira, Wellington. .October 5. Chevron Venice. Arabian Gulf, October 5. (Tanker.) Gudrun Maersk, Singapore, October 6. (Tanker.) Coastal Trader, Auckland, October 6. Neptune. Christmas Island, October 7. (Bulk). Cedric, Bluff, October 8. Wild Auk, Auckland, October 8. Turaklna, Wellington, October 8. Ngakuta, Wellington, October 9. □rfeo Brovig, Texas, October 9. (Bulk.) PROJECTED DEPARTURES Sachen, Singapore, today. (Tanker.) Union Transtasman. Tauranga, October 4. Union Wellington. Wellington, October 4. Rangatira, Wellington, October 4 (daylight). Rangatira. Wellington, October 5. .

Coastal Trader, Dunedin, October

Chevron Venice, —, October 5. (Tanker.) Inverbank, Napier, October 6. I Gudrun Maersk. Wellington, Oc- | tober 7. (Tanker.)

JOHN LESLIE)

Amalrlc, Napier, October 7. Bowoon. Wellington, October 7 (Tanker.)

VESSELS IN PORT Japan Totara, No. 1 Cashin Quay. Union Transtasman, No. 3 West Westmorland, No. 6 West. Sachem, OU Wharf.